Criminology and the use of record evidence article

Excerpt from Essay:

Criminological Theory and Statistical Data

Introduction

Criminological theory is never based on evidencethat is, in statistical facts. Sometimes it is based on ideas that seem logical at the time. Advocates will detect correlations in the ways in which criminal offenses emerges in certain communities and they will base their very own theories of crime in these réflexion, though simply no statistical facts is actually accumulated to check the theory. The theory simply makes sense from a logical or rational point of view and in this manner it is usually promoted. Their basis of facts is qualitative (i. electronic., content-related, conceptual or thematic) rather than statistical and empirical (i. electronic., data that can be measured, quantified and validated through testing). Broken Windows Theory can be one example of criminological theory that was based on qualitative assessments rather than on statistical data (Jean, 2008). As the theory continues to be embraced over the years since it was initially developed, additional researchers demonstrate that statistically the data will not always support the theory. However , data can also be used to manipulate findingsi. e., a bias can be introduced in to the research in terms of what type of test is used, exactly where data originates from and so onand this can give the wrong impression about a theory as well. This paper can discuss the advantages and negatives of applying statistical data in criminological theory.

Negatives

The biggest que contiene in terms of statistical datas romantic relationship with criminological theory is that sometimes data can be used in a way that is prejudiced to show that a theory is correct, when a more objective system of record data will certainly reveal the contrary (Harcourt, 1998)or vice versa. In other words, just as thematic analysis may be manipulated in qualitative research, statistical data can be altered in terms of just how data can be collected (a specific inhabitants or region might be over-sampled), or wherever crime is definitely measured, and so forth In order for statistical data to get trustworthy, it has to be objectively received and objectively analyzed. Whenever that bias is presented into the equation, it alters the awareness that follow. Statistical data is usually not resistant to opinion because it even now relies after gathering and interpreting. This can be a main con associated with applying statistical info in terms of criminological theory creation.

The other con is that statistical info can be over-replied upon. For instance , there may be an insufficient way to evaluate a certain trend statistically speaking, but qualitatively it can be noticed and recognized very well. In the event that criminological theory were just based upon statistical data, some theories could